‘A semester’s worth of knowledge in a few hours’

What clients say about Ann’s workshops

“We continue to receive very positive comments about your seminar! Several people, including our internal communication manager for Europe, said that Tuesday provided the best one-day training since they had joined Motorola. Many thanks for providing insights, tips and factoids that will enable us to perform even better.”

“[Ann’s writing workshop was] absolutely fantastic! A perfect transition from the intellectual to the professional, not to mention practical.”

— Antonia Caamano, manager of PR, PGI-USA

“Very valuable. Writing with great taste is more filling!”

“Loved it! Would like an eight-hour session … scratch that, a one-week session.”

— John Cardenas, public affairs coordinator, Development Commission

“I attended your writing seminar in June, and I can’t thank you enough. Your techniques have really solved a lot of feature-style writing problems that I used to run into. You’ve made believers out of me and the staff here.”

— Claire Celsi, public relations account executive, Flynn Wright

“Ann presented a lot of information that is very valuable for our Corporate Communications staff. We learned of at least 14 things we can do today to dramatically improve the effectiveness of our communications.”

— Jim Conenello, director of Communications, Pall Corporation

“Excellent, I knew I’d learn practical tips, and I wasn’t disappointed. Ann, your seminars are so well designed and delivered so well.”

— Julie Curtis, communications manager, Department of State Lands

“Excellent session. I learned a great deal about structuring a press release to get the desired results.”

— Allison Damiano, account executive, Page Group

“I learned very progressive, cutting-edge techniques and strategies that are 100 percent applicable.”

— Katherine W. Doe, marketing specialist, Federal Credit Union

“Lots of speakers say ‘do this’; Ann helps you do what she suggests.”

— Jody Donohue, commercial marketing manager, Commerce Bank

“Great! I am walking away with some great tools. I can’t wait to start using them. I love that all [of them] can fit into the construct of my workplace not just ideas that have no practical consideration.”

— Michelle Dunn, associate director of Communications and New Media, Southern New Hampshire University

“New, distinctive content; engaging, intelligent ideas that are funny, useful and very applicable.”

“[Ann’s workshop] gave me a terrific, comprehensive, clear set of guidelines to live by when writing e-communications.”

— Jean Fortwengler, copywriter, Humana

“Excellent — I loved Ann’s presentation style. She had very real-world tips that I can use today. One of the best professional development seminars I’ve been to — and I’ve been to a lot! I pity the people who didn’t come.”

— Natalie Ghidoth, PR consultant

“Wonderful! The time flew by as Ann delivered relevant, practical information!”

— Laura Gross, manager, Public Relations, National Public Radio

“A breath of fresh air! This will help me streamline my work to benefit my readers and my company.”

“She made the process seem simple with great examples, techniques and tricks to rely on.”

— Barb Hannon, associate, Nation Ranch Marketing

“I’ve been to a lot of writing seminars and this is, by far, the most effective. During the course of the day, I’ve applied Ann’s concepts to current writing projects — projects that will be much better because of today’s workshop.”

— Julie Hans, spokesperson, Progress Energy

“Very practical, easy-to-remember and -apply tips that make a difference.”

“I had begun working on a news release before your workshop. After your workshop I rewrote it. I’ll be darned if Newsweek didn’t pick it up and run with it. I am just amazed! Thank you for giving me a little badly needed redirection.”

“Excellent! I learned more [in Ann’s one-day session] than I did in my entire college career. I feel like I should get a new diploma.”

“A semester’s worth of knowledge in a few hours.”

— Amy Kappler, communications specialist, Burgess and Niple

“Outstanding — I wish I’d had just one instructor like Ann in my J-School!”

— Bob Kelley, PR manager, Verizon Wireless

“I liked the combination of statistics, process and actual working experience. Ann is credible because she knows what works and what doesn’t, and has good ideas for problems we all face. Ann is not only at an excellent motivator. She is at the top of her game in recognizing how to get the most out of the power of language and to think like a reader.”

— Nancy Kobus, communications program manager, Alliant Energy

“Undoubtedly the most valuable writing seminar I have attended.”

— Rachel Kuramoto, PR pro, Alexander Ogilvy PR

“After spending a day in Ann Wylie’s workshop, I felt like I had experienced a series of ‘V8’ moments. Her practical writing tips left me thinking, ‘I could have been doing that!'”

— Stacy Mayo, assistant account executive, Rhea + Kaiser

— Mary Jo McCarthy, manager, Motorola Inc.

“Exceptional! Ann teaches writing the same way it should be written: fun, organized, inviting and educational.”

— Emily McCavanagh, supervisor, Cercone Brown and Partners

“This is one of the best writing/PR conferences I’ve attended. Good information/tips backed by examples that were easy to relate to.”

— Ashley McDonald, marketing coordinator, Cassing Diagnostic Imaging

“Whether writing a press release, internal newsletter or a company memo, our work must first capture the readers’ attention and then ensure we keep it. You showed us how to do that in an informative and entertaining day. If we can apply your tools and ‘write like a roller coaster,’ our readers will be in for one heck of a ride!”

“Ann’s class rocked. She accomplished in less than eight hours what Loyola couldn’t quite do in four years.”

— Alicia McGarry, Trozzolo Creative

“After graduating years ago with an English degree I’m barely using, this was a well-needed shot of some literary WD-40! Very informative and much akin to a defibrillator to the brain.”

— Rich McPherson, Providence Health and Services

“The best writing workshop I have ever attended. Ann is nothing short of brilliant.”

— Beth McRae, principal, The McRae Agency

“Ann’s research-based, practical approach to writing yields results for communicators in the most important way — influencing your audience. Never a dull moment! I always feel wiser after one of Ann’s classes.”

— Ken Muche, PR manager, Verizon Wireless

— Emily Murphy, PR account manager, Coates Kokes

“Writing is such a hard thing to teach — especially to professionals who already know how to do the basic blocking and tackling. In Ann’s session, one gets the feeling they’re learning not from a grizzled seminar leader who has perfected a formula but from a first-class writer and editor who knows how to apply the best feature-writing techniques to organizational communications. As a conference organizer, I sit in sessions worried about the heat in the room, the attentiveness of the audience, the skill of the speaker. It’s rare when I actually get sucked into what’s being taught because I’m learning myself. That happens every time I watch Ann speak.”

— David Murray, manager, Ragan’s Speechwriters Conference

“Thank you for the information-packed Cut Through the Clutter. The nuggets you offer are pure gold!”

“If Fox Sports network has the ‘Best Damn Sports Show Period,’ this was the best damn writing workshop period!”

— Jim Nimmo, communication specialist, Cotton Electric

“This was the most practical seminar I’ve attended in years. I can put this information into play today.”

— Susan Patton, senior communications specialist, FedEx

“Your writing workshop was so popular that we’ve verbed your name. You’ll hear folks around here talking about ‘Ann Wylieizing’ their copy, which means to communicate complex concepts in a creative, interesting, easy-to-read format. We have also instituted an annual writing award — the ‘Ann Wylie Award’ — to emphasize the importance we place on communicating information in a novel way.”

— Don Paul, State Farm Insurance

“Having Ann Wylie come in to our workplace and present a customized workshop to our communications team certainly energized the team and enhanced our writing products. Most importantly, however, we came away excited to apply what we learned. Our team was actively speaking the same language and sharing ideas. We anticipated it would be an effective writing seminar, but it proved to be one of the most valuable team-building opportunities we have participated in.”

— Jeanine Penticoff, manager,Marketing Communications, Alliant Energy

“A writing seminar was the last thing I needed. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve won several national writing awards. Then I took Ann’s course and even my boss noticed a change in my style; it seemed more ‘alive’, she said. Learning how to write stories — not just facts — gave me a second wind.”

“It’s worth your time. You can walk out and do something different immediately. Some of it will be easy. Much of it will be hard. All of it is critical. Outstanding.”

— Eva Quinn, vice principal, The Principal Financial Group

“If I were to write a headline and deck for Ann’s workshop, it would go something like this: ‘West Point for Writers: How to win the war for readers’ minds.'”

— Jim Rink, media relations specialist, The Auto Club Group

“[Ann’s teleseminar] provided simple solutions to a realistic issue that I have to confront on the job every day. I believe the tips and tactics given will help ease what can often be a frustrating and time-consuming process, even for the smallest of organizations.”

— Bonnie Mae Serino, communication project manager, WorldatWork

“Even my most experienced writers found your workshop to be entertaining yet very practical and immediately applicable. Your detailed breakdown of the feature-style story was especially enlightening for the journalists on my staff who were raised on the inverted pyramid. I also liked the concrete backup you provided from readership studies and how you used examples of our own work to make your point.”

— George Shafer, Trustmark Insurance Company

“Ann’s seminar at Humana was, by far, one of the best workshops anyone on my team has ever attended. Already, I’m seeing a difference in the writers’ work: It’s tighter, more interesting to read, and closer to the mark in addressing the target audience. It was an excellent day of creative rejuvenation.”

— Besty Shirey, copy chief, Humana

“By far the most valuable training I have attended at Entergy. I wish thousands of our employees could get at least a small part of this.”

— Chris Smith, Inside Entergy editor, Entergy Corporation

“It woke me up out of a rut to be a more conscious writer.”

— Elizabeth Sprouse, communications specialist, CDM

“Ann is not only an excellent motivator. She is at the top of her game in recognizing how to get the most out of the power of language and to think like a reader.”

— Emily Wallace, community relations specialist, Orange County Library System

“Very useful. Ann is a great speaker and just plain enjoyable to listen to. Loved her stories.”

“I thought it was by far the best conference/workshop/seminar I’ve ever attended. “

— Felisha Weaver, communications assistant, Hendrix College

“She has a great style and presentation, grounded in respected research — and personal experience.”

— Fran Webb, director, Mount St. Mary Academy

“Ann totally nailed how we need to improve. Her training was the best I’ve had in 20 years of communications work. Most of all, she renewed my enthusiasm and motivation for writing. As the MasterCard ad says: priceless.”

— Lisa Westbrook, content manager, FedEx

“Ann’s courses have definitely improved the quality of writing at Entergy. Hiring Ann would be one of the smartest investments a corporate executive could make in improving his or her company’s communications.”